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Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration

GO BEYOND THE SKETCHBOOK.

Successful illustrators use their imagination and mastery of traditional drawing and painting skills to prove that a picture really is worth a thousand words.

The illustration program at RMCAD allows you to express your imagination by combining tradition and technology. Curriculum begins by establishing strong traditional drawing and painting skills, which gives students the ability to create imaginative and observational work. Students then apply these mastered foundational skills to tell stories in their own way, often incorporating creative software platforms to communicate their ideas to a global, diverse array of clients. Through optional emphases in children’s book illustration, concept art, and sequential art, RMCAD illustration students can personalize their education and focus on their passion.

The illustration program helps students to develop conceptual, technical, and business skills necessary to succeed in the diverse field of illustration. Small class sizes ensure focused time between student and instructor, allowing for personalized guidance and development. Additionally, RMCAD faculty members are working professionals whose expertise helps students prepare for their field.

At RMCAD, we value individual voice and encourage students to find and celebrate their own. Critical thinking skills are an integral component of students’ curriculum. While building visual perception, aesthetic awareness, and problem solving skills, you’ll also discover your voice and prepare for your career artistically, intellectually, and professionally.

THE CORE OF YOUR CRAFT.

Telling a story and expressing an idea through illustration is a gift. Harness your natural ability to replicate the images you see, hear, and imagine through a focused study of illustration at RMCAD. Our program is the only one of its kind in the western U.S. that combines such an experienced faculty of professional artists; a well-balanced curriculum; and a collaborative environment. RMCAD gives you the necessary schooling in materials, technique, and cutting-edge software to create career-defining masterpieces.

2D Design: Elements + Principles

Class Number

FD 1020 / PCFD 1020 (Pre-College Program)

Description

This freshman level studio course introduces students to compositional aspects of two-dimensional work as they pertain to art and design practices using digital media. Through a variety of projects, students explore the fundamentals of visual organization, and investigate methodologies of visual communication that include form, content, and culture. Upon completion of this course students will have a greater understanding of how to develop and analyze two-dimensional, digital visual compositions.

3D Design: Space + Materiality

Class Number

FD 2130

Description

This course explores theories and practices of three-dimensional design. Students use a variety of materials, processes, and techniques to explore fundamental issues such as volume mass, gravity, tension, compression, light, color, and structure.

Academic Connections for Artists + Designers

Class Number

ACAD 1000

Description

This required entry-level course assists students in their transition into the RMCAD academic community. The class assists students in building skills to recognize, understand, and successfully implement various creative, writing, and reading processes; self-assessment; learning styles and study habits; critical thinking, inquiry, and pedagogy; research skills and writing styles; community engagement; and critique. At the conclusion of this course students will have an enhanced understanding of the skills and motivation necessary to be successful in college, as well as have developed academic and personal strategies that can be applied to their academic career at RMCAD and after graduation. In addition, students will have strengthened their formal writing, critical thinking and research skills.

Art History I: Ancient to Medieval

Class Number

AH 1100

Description

In the first of the sequence of required courses in the history of art, students explore the major artists, movements and artistic themes of the Western tradition, beginning with prehistoric art and concluding with Medieval Art. Lectures and readings examine ways in which artists conceive of religion, society, politics and the role of men and women within their historical and stylistic context. In addition, the course considers various media and materials, such as painting, sculpture and architecture, and the fundamentals of design and composition. At the conclusion of this course, students will recognize a broad range of artists, works, and styles from ancient to medieval art. Further, students will learn basic methods in discipline of art history, such as formal analysis, and write knowledgeably on topics from ancient to medieval art (Formerly AH 1010).

Art History II: Renaissance to Post Impressionism

Class Number

AH 1200

Description

In the second of the sequence of required courses in the history of art, students explore the major artists, movements and artistic themes of Western tradition, beginning with the Renaissance and concluding with Post Impressionism. Lectures and readings examine ways in which artists conceive of religion, society, politics and the roles of men and women within their historical and stylistic context. In addition, the course considers various media and materials, such as painting, sculpture, and architecture, and the fundamentals of design and composition. At the conclusion of this course, students will recognize a broad range of artists, works, and styles from the Renaissance and concluding with Post Impressionism. Further, students will become familiar with relevant art theory and methodology, learn to conduct research within the discipline of art history, and write knowledgeably on topics from the Renaissance to Post Impressionism.

Art History III: Fauvism through Modern

Class Number

AH 2300

Description

In this course, students explore the major artists, movements and artistic themes of Fauvism through the modern period. Lectures and readings examine ways in which artists conceive of religion, society, politics and the roles of men and women within their historical and stylistic context. In addition, the course considers various media and materials, the fundamentals of design and composition, and global/cultural perspectives. At the conclusion of this course, students will recognize a broad range of artists, works, and styles from Fauvism through the modern period. Further, they will become familiar with relevant art theory and methodology, learn to conduct research within the discipline of art history, and write knowledgeably on topics from Fauvism through the modern period (Formerly AH 1030).

Basic Illustration

Class Number

IL 2570

Description

This course is the foundation illustration course. Students learn to apply their problem-solving skills to make narrative illustrations in various media, such as pencil, pen and ink, scratchboard, charcoal and watercolor. Students are challenged to develop finished illustrations through a series of preliminary drawings which analyze and direct the meaning of the work. Projects challenge the student’s ability to create pictures that communicate to a mass audience with impact and style. Upon completion of this course, students will have the knowledge of how professional quality illustrations are produced. They will have an understanding of how to produce preliminary sketches and to develop conceptual solutions. Students will comprehend the methods and steps required in successful compositional arrangements. They will be able to take their ideas and fully render them as a finished work of art.

Composition I

Class Number

EN 1110

Description

This is the first, course in the Communication + Critical Thought sequence and serves as an introduction to college-level reading, writing, discussion, and critical thinking. Students engage in a variety of academic texts, literature, and literary, aesthetic, and social criticism. By exploring a variety of writing styles, analyzing elements of form and mechanics, and engaging all aspects of the writing process, students find and demonstrate their writing voice, and write with greater authority, clarity and insight. By the end of this course students will develop their writing and critical thinking skills through critical reading, class discussion, and their own writing. (Formerly CCT 1020)

Composition II

Class Number

EN 1111

Description

Composition II is the second part of the Communication + Critical Thought sequence. It emphasizes critical thinking, reading, and writing skills by engaging students in all aspects of the writing process. At the conclusion of the course, students have encountered a variety of academic texts, participated in critical discourses regarding the content, meaning and function of these texts, and have developed their thinking through written responses to the readings. Students also have been formally introduced to academic research, and are expected to complete a formal research paper by the end of the semester. (Formerly CCT 1030)

Computer Illustration I

Class Number

IL 4550

Description

For many areas of illustration, the computer is the tool of choice, used in creating sketches, studies and refined finished artwork. Working from various illustration themes, students will combine traditional skills and materials with the computer to learn a variety of methods for developing their artwork digitally. At the completion of this course, students will have learned the basic tools for raster and vector programs that are used for digital drawing, painting and composition.

Computer Illustration II

Class Number

IL 4551

Description

This course is the second half of Computer Illustration, a course meant for furthering the illustrator’s ability to combine traditional art skills with the advantages inherent in the computer. At the completion of this course, students will have continued their exploration of digital painting methods and learned advanced techniques for raster and vector programs that are used for digital drawing, painting and composition.

Conceptual Illustration

Class Number

IL 3590

Description

The information age demands that the illustrator must absorb complicated text and summarize it with a single image. In the areas of advertising, editorial, and institutional illustration, the artist does just that. This course defines and develops the necessary methods required to successfully conceive and produce powerful single-image illustrations that quickly communicate to a mass audience. Studio projects will rely on the analytical method of thumbnail sketches, reference-gathering, preliminary drawings, and color studies for the production of finished illustrations. At the conclusion of this course, students will gain knowledge and skills in story analysis, compositional development, and the production of finished illustrations in a variety of techniques.

Directed Themes in Illustration

Class Number

IL 4530

Description

Students specialize in a single area of illustration for the entire term. They may choose illustration projects in editorial, advertising, book, or institutional areas, in order to explore artwork in a related series of instructor-directed themes. At the completion of this course, the student will have created a series of three related portfolio projects that demonstrate advanced problem solving ability, greater command of a personal style in their artwork, as well as continued improvement in developing skills in illustration methods and materials.

Drawing I

Class Number

FD 1275

Description

This course introduces students to methods of structural-based drawing through rigorous observational practices. With an emphasis on composition, ideas such as light, shade, value contrast, proportion, texture, mass, volume, and technique are introduced. Utilizing the study of natural and man-made objects, students become familiar with one-, two-, and three-point perspective. At the conclusion of this course, the students demonstrate improved knowledge and skills in translating what is observed from life into a 2D picture plane.

History of American Illustration

Class Number

AH 2060

Description

This course offers the beginning illustration student a broad view of the major personalities who influenced the illustration field. Examining how past illustrators conceived and produced their artwork for the mass media, this course uncovers the roots of style, and reveals the singular philosophies that shaped the major avenues of illustration. By the end of this course, students will exhibit increased skills and knowledge in reading, writing, and in employing analytical skills in evaluating the influences of the past in shaping visual storytelling styles within American culture.

Humanities

Class Number

HU ----

Description

Students choose two classes in the Humanities department. Please see the most recent academic catalog for specific classes.

Illustrating Literature

Class Number

IL 3660

Description

This course is designed to inform students about the issues involved in visual storytelling. Through a series of interpretive studio projects, students will derive their inspiration from various texts, illustrating classic short stories, poems, and children’s literature. By emphasizing advanced story analysis, development process, pictorial composition, and color organization, students will analyze and develop a succession of narrative illustrations. At the conclusion of this class, the student will have a better understanding of storytelling, understanding and interpreting text as well as other basic illustration principles such as composition, communication, drawing, character and color.

Illustration Graduation Portfolio

Class Number

IL 4990

Description

This course allows senior students to develop their individual illustration concepts within the boundaries of editorial, advertising, or book illustration areas. Timetables and assignment themes are self-directed in consultation with the instructor. Students will gain information on how to set up a small business focusing on pricing, contracts and taxes. Upon successful completion of this course, students will create a portfolio of professional-level work for display in the graduation exhibition.

Illustration Junior Portfolio Review

Class Number

IL 3000

Description

All juniors are required to participate in their departmental Junior Portfolio Review, which occurs at the completion of the junior year. This review enables the department to redirect students toward certain remedial tasks and helps them to focus on their professional objectives. At the end of this review, students and faculty have identified and discussed strengths and weaknesses in the student portfolios so that the students may address both in their upcoming major coursework.

Illustration Marketing

Class Number

IL 4450

Description

This course enables students to create a professional marketing plan and brand identity that reflects their personal career goals through strategically advertising their services to clients using a range of new web technologies and traditional marketing modalities. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to determine which marketing tools are most effective and know how to use them. Students will be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of how to leverage offline and online tools, like new media, to drive art buyers to an illustration portfolio website. Students will understand focused methods to present a portfolio online or in person. Finally, students will be able to clearly communicate and implement actionable steps to competitively market their professional illustration services.

Illustration Sophomore Portfolio Review

Class Number

IL 2000

Description

Students who have completed 45-60 credit hours are required to participate in a sophomore portfolio review. Students will present original art and design work from Foundations courses where faculty evaluate mastery of foundational skills, and identify strengths and areas of improvement. Art and design work will illustrate competency in visual elements and principles of design, drawing, color theory, and three-dimensional fundamentals. Upon successful completion of the Sophomore Portfolio Review, students transition into their major course of study. This course is Pass/Fail.

Landscape Painting

Class Number

IL 3580

Description

Landscape painting continues the illustrator’s study of basic oil painting materials and methods. Students further their understanding of representational painting through both studio and location work and employing plein-air studies that observe the landscape to master traditional compositional principles. At the conclusion of the course, the student will understand the basics of observational painting in oils, using the landscape as subject matter.

Life Drawing I

Class Number

FD 1370

Description

This course focuses on the basic anatomy of the human figure. Students improve their understanding of figure drawing through the studies of skeletal structures and muscle masses. Issues such as foreshortening, accurate proportion, lighting, and composition are explored.

Life Drawing II

Class Number

FD 1380

Description

This course introduces students to expressive issues in drawing the human figure. Students learn to analyze the figure in terms of planes, masses, shapes, action, proportion, rhythm and personal mark making. Areas covered include: gesture, quick sketch, long poses, foreshortening, and composition.

Life Drawing III: Human Anatomy

Class Number

IL 2550

Description

This figure drawing course allows students to exercise and develop both observational and constructive drawing skills. Students continue their study of gesture, the effect of light and shade on form, planes, constructive anatomy techniques, and achieving effective proportion through daily drawings of the draped and undraped figure. Character development, pose, composition, and illustrative storytelling themes add interest to the studies. Students use charcoal, conté crayon, inks, and pastels on various drawing surfaces. At the end of this course, students shall, in a variety of media, have improved their ability to apply perceptual, geometric/constructive, and anatomical modes to the drawing of the clothed and unclothed human figure, and be able to place figures in a coherent storytelling setting.

Life Drawing IV

Class Number

IL 3610

Description

A figure drawing course that utilizes pastels, watercolors, charcoal, graphite, and conté crayon to exercise and develop the drawing skills of the student. Students study advanced concepts of storytelling, costumed drapery, pose, character development, composition, and continue their study of the anatomy with particular emphasis on the head and hands. Students also examine the effect of light on form. At the end of this course, students will have a portfolio of drawings in different media demonstrating an improvement in the essentials of figure drawing developed in Life Drawing I, II, and III, with special emphasis on the expressive possibilities of the head and hands, and in-form lighting through long poses of the clothed and unclothed figure.

Life Painting I

Class Number

IL 2650

Description

Students paint from live models to further develop artistic skills in this studio course. They explore the potential of the human figure as a vehicle for creative visual expression. The integration of drawing, painting, composition, color and content are important. At the end of this course the student will have created a portfolio of figure paintings demonstrating a command of color, form, gesture, and anatomy in rendering the clothed and unclothed figure.

Life Painting II

Class Number

IL 3250

Description

With emphasis on personal style, expressive approaches, and employing both the draped and undraped model, this course continues the anatomical, constructive, and compositional ideas introduced in IL 2650 Life Painting I. Oils and acrylics are the primary materials used in this painting course. At the end of this course, the student will have a portfolio of paintings of the model in and out of costume, demonstrating a firm grasp of a variety of techniques in oil painting.

Mastering the Pencil

Class Number

IL 1020

Description

This course will focus entirely on finely rendered small-scale pencil drawings. At the completion of this course, the student will have a great appreciation of how to apply sharp-focus line drawing, fundamental perspective methods, tonal emphasis, and subtle form description as it pertains to narrative illustrations.

Mathematics

Class Number

MA ----

Description

Students choose one class in the Mathematics department. Please see the most recent academic catalog for specific classes.

Perspective

Class Number

FD 1510

Description

Perspective is a foundation drawing course in the second term of the freshman year, required for Illustrators, and available as an elective for all other students. Applicable to the necessary skills of Animators, Illustrators and Interior Designers, the goal for this course is to establish a basic knowledge necessary for advanced perspective drawing through a series of lectures, demonstrations, exercises and studio projects. At the completion of this course, students will have finished a series of drawing projects that show the application of one-, two- and three-point perspective, and that require the student to substantiate their mastery of the principles involved in accurate three-dimensional construction from a particular viewpoint.

Physical + Natural Science

Class Number

NS ----

Description

Students choose one course in the Physical + Natural Science department. Please see the most recent catalog for a list of specific classes.

Social + Behavioral Sciences

Class Number

SBS ----

Description

Students choose two classes in the Social + Behavioral Sciences department. Please see the most recent academic catalog for specific classes.

Still Life Painting

Class Number

IL 2560

Description

This course introduces basic acrylic painting materials and methods, using the still life as inspiration to develop the student’s perceptual abilities. At the conclusion of this course, the student will have been introduced to and understand the basics of observational painting materials and methods in acrylics, using the still life as subject matter.

Studio Elective 1

Class Number

----

Description

For a full list of classes that satisfy the elective requirement, please see the most recent academic catalog.

Studio Elective 2

Class Number

----

Description

For a full list of classes that satisfy the elective requirement, please see the most recent academic catalog.

Topics in Color

Class Number

FD 1120

Description

This freshman level course introduces students to the relationships between color, perception, and space as it pertains to art and design practices. Through hands-on studio projects, students investigate how color is utilized within design strategies, as it relates to properties of color, color psychology, spatial perception, and cultural significance while studying the historic evolution of color systems. Upon successful completion of this course, students will recognize and demonstrate the impact of color in the compositional aspect of design, and utilize color as a creative element in the design process.

Topics in the History of Western OR Nonwestern Art

Class Number

AH 3010 or AH 3500

Description

Students may choose to take either AH 3010 Topics in the History of Western Art or AH 3500 Topics in the History of Nonwestern Art. Please see the most recent catalog for course descriptions.

Typography for Illustration

Class Number

IL 2440

Description

This course examines the relationship of typographic design to illustration. Students will learn to apply the basic elements and principles of graphic design to a range of typographic projects to learn how type works with images to communicate ideas. In addition, students will discuss historical and contemporary use, examining page layout and identifying crucial relationships, with special emphasis on creative typographic design solutions. By the end of this class, students will exhibit increased abilities to arrange, design, and manipulate typography as a visual tool in order to more effectively communicate ideas

Western Civilization I

Class Number

HU 2210

Description

The first course in the sequence of two explores the shape and identity of western culture from classical antiquity through the 16th century. Lectures and readings examine developments in technology, economics, political structures, religious institutions and faith and social ideals. At the conclusion of this course, students will recognize the major historical achievements of western culture from classical antiquity through the 16th century. (Formerly HU 2010)

Western Civilization II

Class Number

HU 2211

Description

The second course in the sequence of two explores the shape and identity of western culture from 17th though the 19th century. Lectures and readings examine developments in technology, economics, political structures, religious institutions and faith and social ideals. At the conclusion of this course, students will recognize the major historical achievements of western culture from the 17th through the 19th century. (Formerly HU 2050)

Children's Book Illustration I

Class Number

IL 3650

Description

Students are familiarized with the illustrator’s role in the development and creation of a children’s book. Assignments include breaking up manuscripts, designing characters, creating a storyboard, a wrap around jacket, a 3D page dummy and several finished pieces. Other areas covered in class are story flow, consistency, age-appropriateness, professional practices, working with text, design, color, and composition. At the conclusion of this class, the student will have an understanding of the process of illustrating a children’s picture book as well as increased understanding of storytelling, character, and other basic illustration skills.

Children's Book Illustration II

Class Number

IL 4650

Description

Children’s Book Illustration II is the second half of Children’s Book Illustration. Individual assignments augment the earlier course and extend the practical methods. At the conclusion of this class, the student should have an increased knowledge of the process needed to complete a 32-page picture book project, as well as an increased understanding of storytelling, design, character development, and other basic illustration principles.

Animation Layout + Production Design

Class Number

AN2D 3360

Description

Junior-level students explore different stylistic approaches for individual animated productions, and design original characters and environments. Areas of study include perspective, character and prop model sheets, background and character layouts, and proportion sheets (for multiple characters in a production). In addition, students produce full-color samples of their master backgrounds and color keys of the main characters. Upon completion of this course, students will have a greater working knowledge of perspective and composition, knowledge of how these pertain to cinematic motion and design, and several finished works for their portfolios. (Formerly AN 4010)

Character Design

Class Number

IL 3655

Description

Telling good stories involves creating memorable characters. How is this accomplished? What is the role of costume? How can the artist develop vivid personalities to inhabit the author’s stories? How does knowing the audience help define the character? The answers to these questions are the basis for this advanced course in character design. Students develop a series of characters traditionally on paper (character sketches, turnarounds, sheets and finished drawings) and with Sculpey or other clay 3D materials. At the conclusion of this class, the student will have a better understanding of how to create a more fully developed drawn character.

Creative Visualization

Class Number

AN 2310

Description

The emphasis of this course is on developing imaginative concepts, using the language of film and animation through the storyboard process. Students illustrate animated story ideas, focusing on expressive character development, layout and set design. At the conclusion of this course, students will be capable of using the storyboard process to write animated story ideas, utilizing elements of composition, camera angles, continuity, character and motion dynamics.

Introduction to Animated Storytelling

Class Number

AN 1110

Description

In this freshman-level class, students will receive an overview of how their animation studies relate to current industry practices for creating animated films, emphasizing how every phase of the creative process supports the storytelling function of a film. Students will learn to analyze animated and live action films, from television commercials, to three-minute shorts, to feature length movies, to understand how narrative content is delivered in different contexts. At the conclusion of this course, students will have completed assignments analyzing the visual form and narrative form of a variety of films, and projects demonstrating their ability to recognize and apply the basic components of visual storytelling in their own work.

People, Places + Things: Elements of Concept Art I

Class Number

IL 4600

Description

This course focuses on the different elements that a concept artist will be expected to create for a project, whether it be a game or film (animated or live action). The course will focus on what is expected of a concept artist in the professional studio or freelance situation. This course will cover both traditional and digital media. At the end of this course the student will have a better understanding of what the expectations are of a concept artist and the process it takes to create work for this field on a professional level.

People, Places + Things: Elements of Concept Art II

Class Number

IL 4620

Description

This course continues from where Elements of Concept Art I left off. Students will get the opportunity to create characters, environments and objects for one single project or further and more deeply explore one area of concept art such as character design or environmental design. This will aid in consistency and a uniformity to the work. The student will also learn about business and industry standards and how to seek out and promote her/himself to a studio. At the conclusion of this course the student will have a deeper understanding of what it takes to complete a project in all areas of Concept Art and/or a deeper understanding and experience in a specific area of Concept Art. The student will also have an understanding of industry practices and expectations.

Sequential Art I

Class Number

IL 2710

Description

Students will explore aspects of sequential art, including narrative structure, storyboarding, panel layout, character design, the relationship of text and image, professional practices, and working with design, color, and composition. At the conclusion of this class, the student will have an understanding of the process of sequential art as well as increased understanding of storytelling, character, and other basic illustration skills.

Sequential Art II

Class Number

IL 2715

Description

Sequential Art II is the second half of Sequential Art I. Individual assignments augment the earlier course and extend the practical methods. At the conclusion of this class, the student should have an increased knowledge of the process needed to complete a comic book project, as well as an increased understanding of storytelling, design, character development, and other basic illustration principles.

WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK AFTER GRADUATION.

With a well-developed portfolio and a commitment to the profession, RMCAD graduates find that they are top candidates for advertising agencies, commercial studios, art departments, and more. Like many other art and design fields, illustration tends to be competitive, and much of it is done on a freelance basis. But our grads often find profitable employment in the related fields of animation, fine arts, graphic design, and teaching.